Social Relations and Cultural Activities - Class 8

- Before the coming of Europeans in Kenya people learned:

• Origin and history of their communities.
• Moral values.
• Practical skills.

- Methods of teaching include:

1. Through observation and doing (apprenticeship).
2. Through stories.
3. Through riddles, folk tales and fables.
4. Through participation.

- These consist of people born almost at the same time and those who grew up together.
- They were important as sources of help and identification.
- Members treated one another as brothers.

- It is the smallest social unit in a society. Members are related by blood or marriage.
- Types of families are:

1. Nuclear families.
2. Extended families.
3. Single parent families.

- The main aim of marriage in traditional African societies is to get children.
- Children are important because they continue the lineage in a community.

Types of Marriages

- There are three types of marriages:

• Customary marriage.
• Civil marriage.
• Religious marriage.

Customary Marriage

- Conducted according to the tradition and customs of the community involved.
- Dowry is paid.
- One is allowed to marry many wives (polygamous).
- No marriage certificate is issued.

Religious Marriages

- Purely monogamous save for Muslims.
- Conducted according to religious beliefs of those involved.
- Christian marriages are monogamous.
- Hindu marriages are monogamous.
- Islamic marriages are polygamous (one is allowed to marry up to four wives).
- Dowry is paid.
- A marriage certificate is issued.

Civil Marriage

- Conducted by a government officer either a magistrate, Attorney General or registrar of marriages.
- A certificate is issued.
- A witness is required.
- Marriage banns are issued.
- It is monogamous.

- A clan consists of people who have a common ancestor.
- A clan is important because: it gives members a sense of belonging and it is a source of help.
- Clan elders solve disputes among members.

Functions of the Clan

• Settling disputes among the clan members.
• Allocating land to the members.
• Solving problems that might affect one or some of the members eg. death.
• Maintaining the traditions of the clan.
• Organising and guiding members on religious practices eg. offering sacrifices.
• Conducted naming, initiation and marriage ceremonies together.

- A school is a place where organised form of learning takes place.
- The work of a school is to:

• Equip learners with skills and knowledge.
• Prepare learners for adult life.
• Educate learners on morals, good behaviour and responsibilities.

Role of the Community in School Development

• Provision of land.
• Provision of workers.
• Raising funds to develop the school.
• Guidance and counselling of pupils.
• Providing with members of the school management committee apart from the headteacher.
• Involved in maintaining discipline in the school.

Managing a School

- Public primary schools in Kenya are managed by the school committees.
- The headteacher is always the secretary of the school committee.
- It is led by a chairperson.
- The work of the school committee is to:

• Identify and implement school projects.
• Assist in maintaining school traditions.
• Assist in learners discipline.
• In charge of school funds.